Management of Laboratory Resources

Managing Time

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 Managing time
 Time is not often thought as a resource. However, it is
a non-renewable resource; no event can take place
unless there is time for it.
 Using time effectively is a management skill.
 Characteristically, time
– cannot be stored
– its utilization is fixed
– it is equally shared to people
– it is expensive
– it is a resource for work and etc.
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 Time is highly wasted in our community by
factors such as the following: -
– Personal weakness
– Interference by other
– Organizational and structural weakness
– Unplanned work
– Lack of priority setting
– Occupied by a number of works

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– Many guests
– Too much routine and minor works
– Too much writing
– Telephone calls
– Many meetings and length of meetings
– Lack of timely decisions

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 One can use his/her time efficiently by
considering the following points: -
– Plan daily time
– Decide what should be done rather than
what you wish to do
– Use appropriate time to do major and
important activities
– Develop effective record systems

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– Prepare the necessary resources for a specific
activity you need to do before you start
– Use telephone cautiously
– Do one activity at a time
– Delegate: ask yourself who else can do this
job before you start the job
– Decide time limit for every activity
– Take rest whenever necessary

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 Time can be wasted by different types of
people like the following
– Showy
– Dissatisfied/ de-motivated
– Purposeful delayers
– Lack of confidence (fear)
– Unplanned
– Careless
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 Time plans are written in various common
forms known as timetables, schedules,
rosters and program charts.

 These words are often used to mean the same

thing, i.e. a time plan.

 In this guide terms are used in the following

way
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 Timetable: for daily & weekly regularly recurring
events.
 (e.g. weekly staff meeting).

 Schedule: for intermittent, irregular or variable

events including details of where the events take
place.
(e.g. visits to peripheral health labs)

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 Managing time cont…
 Roster: for duties planned for different staff
members, for different times.
 (e.g. night duty roster, Parasitology duty
roster, emergency duty roster ).

 Program: for long-term arrangements of several

different events or activities.
(e.g. HIV testing campaign).